-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Uganda 's President has declined to sign a bill that would punish certain homosexual acts with life in prison , but the move was not designed to protect the civil rights of gays and lesbians .

President Yoweri Museveni believes that parliament illegally passed the bill , and gays and lesbians are `` sick people who need help , '' his spokesman said .

A Ugandan lawmaker first introduced the bill in 2009 with a death penalty clause for some homosexual acts . It was briefly shelved when Britain and other European nations threatened to withdraw aid to Uganda , which relies on millions of dollars from the international community .

The nation 's parliament passed the bill last month , supplanting the death penalty provision with a proposal of life in prison for `` aggravated homosexuality . '' It was awaiting the President 's signature for passage .

News came Friday that the President had sent a letter to the speaker of the parliament , saying he ca n't sign the bill because there were n't enough parliament members present when it was passed .

`` There was no quorum which -LRB- was -RRB- mandated for bill passage . Thus , he is unable to sign a bill that was not legally passed , '' spokesman Tamale Mirundi said .

The spokesman further explained Museveni 's thinking about the issue .

`` Homosexuals need help . They are sick , '' Mirundi said . `` Homosexuals were present in Africa in the past and were not persecuted . ''

The President also believes that the issue is not a priority for his country .

`` It might be important in Europe , but not here , '' Mirundi said . `` The President 's inability to sign the bill is very clear and his stance has not changed . ... There was no quorum , and homosexuals are sick people who need help . ''

According to Amnesty International , the bill 's definition of `` aggravated homosexuality '' includes acts in which a person is infected with HIV , `` serial offenders '' and sex with minors .

The bill also proposed years in prison for anyone who counsels or reaches out to gays and lesbians , a provision that would ensnare rights groups and others providing services to lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender people .

Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries , where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism . In Uganda , homosexual acts are punishable by 14 years to life in prison , according to rights activists .

But lawmakers in the conservative nation sought tougher legislation , saying the influence of Western lifestyles risks destroying family units .

`` This is a piece of legislation that is needed in this country to protect the traditional family here in Africa , and also protect the future of our children , '' said David Bahati , the lawmaker who introduced the bill .

Rights groups and the international community had urged Museveni to veto the bill .

Parliament is in recess and wo n't reconvene until February 18 , parliament spokesman Moses Bwalatum said . The bill can become law without the President 's signature if Museveni returns it to parliament twice and it garners the support of two-thirds of lawmakers , he said .

Journalist Samson Ntale and Gregory Branch contributed to this report .

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President 's spokesman : `` There was no quorum , and homosexuals are sick people ''

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Lawmakers downgraded punishment for `` aggravated homosexuality '' to life in prison

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Law also proposed prison time for those who counsel , reach out to gays and lesbians

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Parliament reconvenes next month , and the bill could pass without President 's signature